A seamless combination of Midwestern charm, Southern hospitality and the daring of the American frontier,
Arkansas is a state that resists easy definitions. Divided by the broad swath of the Arkansas River and bordered
to the east by the Mighty Mississippi, the "Natural State" is home to high wooded escarpments,
plunging sandstone gorges and flat plains of lush farmland.
Discover Arkansas
Natural Geography
Arkansas has earned distinction as the Natural
State as not only in recognition of the incredible
natural beauty of our state, but also for the diversity
of landscapes to be found here. The two major natural
regions consist of the interior highlands in the northwestern
third of the state and the flat coastal plains which comprise the
rest of the state. The highlands include the wooded rises and
numerous caves of the Ozark Mountains, the narrow ridges of
the Ouachita Mountains and the deep folds of the Arkansas River
Valley. The coastal plain varies from pasture and prairie in the
southwest to rich farmland, often called the Delta, nearing the Mississippi.
Cities
Little Rock, located in the center of Arkansas, is the state
capital and the chief commercial center. On the banks of the
Arkansas river along the western border with Oklahoma, Fort
Smith is an industrial center with a strong Western heritage.
Fayetteville, in the northwestern corner of the state, is an
important agricultural distribution center as well as home to
the University of Arkansas. The city of Hot Springs in the
stunning Ouachita Mountains is a popular resort and spa destination.
Economy
Once almost entirely dependent on agriculture, Arkansas underwent a
very rapid coordinated industrialization in the 1950’s. By the end of
the decade, manufacturing had outpaced farming as the chief source of
income for the state. Foremost among the many corporations with a strong
presence in Arkansas is Wal-Mart, whose international headquarters are
located in Bentonville. The town is also home to a Visitors Center situated
in Sam Walton’s original variety store.
Culture
Arkansas offers a thriving arts and entertainment scene to compete with the
spectacular outdoor scenery. Little Rock boasts a burgeoning nightlife, particularly
in the River Market District that is filled with restaurants, nightclubs, museums and
performing arts venues.
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